ANDY Murray has defended his decision to make himself unavailable for Great Britain’s Davis Cup tie against Lithuania, insisting he has ‘‘not abandoned’’ the team.

The British number one announced last night he will skip the March tie to allow his young compatriots more international experience.

The 22-year-old Scot had intimated he would play a reduced role after Britain slipped into the Europe- Africa Zone Group Two following their disappointing defeat to Poland last September.

Murray denied he has turned his back on Britain, pointing to the fact his topfour rivals have opted to skip the Davis Cup in the past.

‘‘It would be a bit unfair to single me out,’’ said Murray, who is preparing to appear for Britain alongside former junior Wimbledon winner Laura Robson at the Hopman Cup in Perth this week.

‘‘A lot better players than me have missed Davis Cup matches.

‘‘It’s just because the team has struggled in the past few years that if I didn’t play then there was a good chance that we were going to lose, whereas now we can still win.”

Murray has been outspoken about the need for young British players to develop on the international stage and believes his decision will offer them that opportunity.

‘‘I think now is a good time for the younger guys to get a chance of playing Davis Cup matches and winning them,’’ he said.